Yankees sign Lyle Overbay to minor league deal

Lyle Overbay was released by the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday morning, hours later he signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees.

Overbay, 36, had been trying to win a bench spot with the Red Sox. Had the Red Sox not released him the first basemen could have opted out of his contract or reported to Triple-A to start the season.

After Overbay was granted his release he quickly signed a contract with the division rival Yankees. The Yankees have a glut of injured players including first basemen Mark Teixeira. Overbay would figure to gather some early season starts at first while Teixeira is out.

Last season Overbay spent time with Arizona and Atlanta. He finished the year with a .259/.331/.397 line while hitting two home runs in 131 plate appearances.